Writ in Stone - Kannika & Stoney
When I first met Kannika I was drawn to the vision of her wedding day. As she spoke and shared details of her life, her relationship and her wedding plans, several themes arose for me as a writer. Engaged in the stories she shared, I knew I wanted to be the one to bring honor to these stories. Her words spoke to the beautiful power of new beginnings, love writ in stone, and the symbolic meaning of marriage as the protector of one another.
The year of 2015 had brought her family sorrow, with the tragic losses of the glue in both families: Kannika's mother and Stoney's father had both passed. They decided that getting married on New Year's Day could be the symbol they needed to represent a new beginning. Though Kannika never imagined needing a wedding, she found it ever so important to have her 92-year-old father witness her marriage and walk her down the aisle. I knew we could honor their parents with us in spirit and incorporate her father, the Colonel.
When Kannika and Stoney first met, 10 years prior, it was chance, a random yet perfect coincidence. As they became friends, they always ended up together, something was pulling them; they couldn't help but fall in love. Their love is confident, accepting and supportive.
In getting to know the couple I learned that both the Duncan and Neal families have Scottish backgrounds, so I knew we wanted to honor that lineage. Kannika shared with me that she liked the idea of her father passing the dirk (sword) to Stoney. Through our conversations I learned that protecting one another and having their love "writ in stone" were the most important elements.
From there, my writing built on these elements. I could sense that uniquely we could incorporate their honored guests. So, I developed the idea that each guest could sign a river rock stone that would be under their seats. This captured the idea that the presence of their guests were "writ in stone" and an important part of their union. Kanikka and Stoney also had a stone engraved to hold while they said their vows; to write their love and commitment in stone. So, all parts of writ in stone.
The year of 2015 had brought her family sorrow, with the tragic losses of the glue in both families: Kannika's mother and Stoney's father had both passed. They decided that getting married on New Year's Day could be the symbol they needed to represent a new beginning. Though Kannika never imagined needing a wedding, she found it ever so important to have her 92-year-old father witness her marriage and walk her down the aisle. I knew we could honor their parents with us in spirit and incorporate her father, the Colonel.
When Kannika and Stoney first met, 10 years prior, it was chance, a random yet perfect coincidence. As they became friends, they always ended up together, something was pulling them; they couldn't help but fall in love. Their love is confident, accepting and supportive.
In getting to know the couple I learned that both the Duncan and Neal families have Scottish backgrounds, so I knew we wanted to honor that lineage. Kannika shared with me that she liked the idea of her father passing the dirk (sword) to Stoney. Through our conversations I learned that protecting one another and having their love "writ in stone" were the most important elements.
From there, my writing built on these elements. I could sense that uniquely we could incorporate their honored guests. So, I developed the idea that each guest could sign a river rock stone that would be under their seats. This captured the idea that the presence of their guests were "writ in stone" and an important part of their union. Kanikka and Stoney also had a stone engraved to hold while they said their vows; to write their love and commitment in stone. So, all parts of writ in stone.
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Their wedding ceremony was uniquely them. It captured themes around protecting one another, love that is "writ in stone," and rung true to the Scottish traditions. Everyone was brought to tears (especially the groom) when his daughter read a dedication she had written for the couple. And, everyone was awe inspired by Kannika's niece's voice as she sung one of Kannika's favorite Elvis songs.
I believe this about weddings: I have always been incredibly filled with emotions, even when I was the server clearing the table and filling wine, when I see two people commit their lives to one another. It brings the best out of people, it brings that heat to the body, to the chest, surrounding the heart, that feeling is love rushing over us. And what happens on a wedding day, during a wedding ceremony, well that is exactly how it should be.
When Kannika's father stood and began speaking mid-ceremony, sure it wasn't what we had planned, but his ad-lib line of advice to Stoney around protecting her and his jokes brought everyone to laughter.
And, that is what people will remember. Not the food they served, not the silver winter mirror center pieces. They will remember that their day was uniquely them. It was true, genuine; it was Kannika and Stoney.
I am honored to have been part of this beautiful union.
I believe this about weddings: I have always been incredibly filled with emotions, even when I was the server clearing the table and filling wine, when I see two people commit their lives to one another. It brings the best out of people, it brings that heat to the body, to the chest, surrounding the heart, that feeling is love rushing over us. And what happens on a wedding day, during a wedding ceremony, well that is exactly how it should be.
When Kannika's father stood and began speaking mid-ceremony, sure it wasn't what we had planned, but his ad-lib line of advice to Stoney around protecting her and his jokes brought everyone to laughter.
And, that is what people will remember. Not the food they served, not the silver winter mirror center pieces. They will remember that their day was uniquely them. It was true, genuine; it was Kannika and Stoney.
I am honored to have been part of this beautiful union.
Incorporation of TraditionsToday we honor these families' Scottish heritage.
Kannika’s father Joe, (Ah-two) will now present the dirk to Stoney Presenting the dirk from father to the groom is a tradition that carries significant meaning. As Ah-two hands you, Stoney, the dirk, it symbolizes that he entrusts you with the obligation and responsibility to protect Kannika from this day forward. Ring Exchanges Customized to ThemeStoney please repeat after me:
Kannika, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. Let it be a reminder that I am always by your side This ring will remind you that I will always be your protector. |
Guided VowsI, Kannika, chose you, Stoney, to be my husband
I promise to love and protect you for the rest of our lives. I will trust you and respect you, Laugh with you and cry with you. Today I am honored to have our love writ in stone. Personal Touches about the CoupleIn getting to know the couple several key things became evident to me.
• You love and protect one another. • You are confident about your love, without insecurities or doubts. • You accept one another, without trying to change one another. • And you love each other with ease, honor, and without obligation. |
